Types of Messages (based on suggestions by AP GIBBS)
1. Personal Testimony
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Positive aspects: Natural, Interesting
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Dangers: Others may try to emulate the same experience. Exaltation of self, and what J. Vernon McGee called " perpendicular 'I'-eetus"
2. Expository
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Positive aspects: The most difficult but the VERY BEST. It is the consecutive opening up of scripture, emphasizing God's word. Never exhausts having sufficient material. There is a crying need for this type of preaching.
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Danger: Can turn into disconnected sermonettes especially if the context and train of thought of the text is is lost. We knew a brother who preached through Ephesians 2 verses a week. Example- this week verse 5&6, next week verses 6&7. The context and flow of thought of Paul was lost.
3. Textual
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Similar to expository - using shorter scripture portions
4. Topical
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Positive aspects: The expounding of certain Topics or Doctrines. Needs unity, coherence.
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Danger: Preacher can exhaust his preaching topics. There is a danger of the infrequent preacher never getting past topical preaching and unwittingly preaching the same sermon repeatedly, though in different guise. Can become non doctrinal and a place of opinions and beating the same old drum.
5. Historical Incident
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Positive aspects: A Bible story - ever popular to listeners- is unfolded with spiritual meaning and application given.
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Danger: Allegory or one-sided truths given, or can be political.
6. Biographical
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Posititve aspects: Study of a person's life, can be very interesting by giving success examples and failure warnings.
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Danger: Limited topics and can become out of balance. Can become man-centered. Can exalt men instead of Christ.
7. Gospel
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Positive aspects: It is the command of God to preach the gospel to the lost. This is His method and is utterly essential.
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Danger: It may surprise some to place a danger here, but in the local church, the primary purpose of teaching & preaching is building up the saints. Failure to move beyond gospel preaching (for the already saved) leaves their growth stunted.
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